Meet the Staff

The Rev. Jeffrey Gargano, PastorAccepted the call of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns in 2009. Previously served as pastor of the Reformed Church, St. Thomas, Virgin islands, for 14 years.

The Rev. Julia Doellman-BrownPastor to Children and Youth

Nanette MaleraAdministrative Assistant

Mi-Won Kim and Jeremy GoldsmithMusic Co-Directors

Patty Kreamer (2nd from right), director, with the staff of New Beginnings Nursery School

Old Dutch Church Fest Starts This Weekend

Ever wonder where the Headless Horseman is buried? Now you have a chance to ask him! He'll be in the churchyard between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. every day of the Old Dutch Fest, open from noon to 4:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October and Nov. 1.

This year we're introducing new fun learning activities for children in Ichabod's School House and a Scavenger Hunt. We'll also have food and beverages, tours of the church and burying ground, and souvenirs and gifts for sale. Join the fun! We'll be there rain or shine, though the children's program may be limited.

Sunday School at the Clock Church

The new year for Sunday School began September 11, 2016. Children, nursery-aged through 8th grade, are dismissed to Sunday School right after the Children's Message. There are four classrooms: 1) babies through age one; 2) two-year-olds through Pre-K; 3) grades K through fourth; 4) grades fifth through eighth.

Children two years old through fourth grade will be using the Dwell Curriculum. It teaches many of the Bible stories we all learned as children. Fifth through eighth grades will also use Dwell, along with the Common Lectionary. It is our hope that by time children reach the eighth grade our Sunday School program will have them well-versed in the stories of the Bible.

Music Program

This year we will incorporate music as a regular part of the Sunday School curriculum. The children love to sing with Mr. Jeremy! Jeremy, church music co-director, will work with children every week for the first few minutes of Sunday School. Learning to worship through music is a special expression of love for God! The congregation will get to hear them sing during worship throughout the year.

Also once a month (to be announced) children are invited to come to the sanctuary at 10 a.m. for 30 minutes of fun singing and praising God. Much like focusing on the stories of the Bible, we hope that children will learn songs to hold near and dear to their hearts.

Sunday School Mission Project

It is never to early to start our children thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves. Children of the Sunday School, in addition to supporting the local food pantry, will select two ministries/charities to support with their weekly offering. We'll announce the two selected ministries/charities for this year after the children decide.

Teachers

Nursery: Tia Sue and Jon Falconer

Two-year-old to Pre-K: Lauren McBride

K through fourth grade: Sara Elder

Fifth through eighth grades: Moira Gargano

Last Weekend for the Old Dutch Fest

Pastor Jeff officially opened the 5th annual Old Dutch Church Fest with the blessing of the Headless Horseman's horse. The Fest takes place in the churchyard every Saturday and Sunday in October and Nov. 1, noon to 4:30 p.m. The Headless Horseman will be on hand from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. New this year: Ichabod's School House, children's Scavenger Hunt with prizes. Tour guides will be in the church. We'll have food and beverages, souvenirs and gifts for sale.

Old Dutch Church Fest Starts This Weekend

Come say hi to the Headless Horseman at the 5th annual Old Dutch Church Fest, taking place in the churchyard every weekend in October. The fest hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 1. The Headless Horseman will be on hand from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. New this year: Ichabod's School House, and a Scavenger Hunt with prizes for the children. We'll also have food and beverages for all, free tours, and souvenirs and gifts for sale.

Join in the Fun at the Old Dutch Church Fest 2015

The fifth annual Old Dutch Fest will run for five weekends in October on the grounds of the 330-year-old Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. It kicks off Oct. 3 and continues through Nov. 1. The public is invited to join in the fun, which will include music, food and beverages, the Headless Horseman, tours of the historic church and burying ground. New this year: the Ichabod Crane School House for children 12 and under. Open hours: noon to 4:30 p.m. on October weekends. At 11:00 a.m. on each October Sunday a special worship service will be held in the legendary church, and on Nov. 1 there will be an All Saints' Day service. Click here for the brochure.

Organ Maestro David Hurd at Old Dutch Nov. 1

Organ master David Hurd is the featured musician this Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. He will play the Noack Tracker Organ at two All Saints' Day worship services, at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Dr. Hurd is a much-honored performer, composer and educator. He is professor at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church and organist and music director at the Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea. The Old Dutch is located at 430 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 10591. There will be no worship service at the Clock Church in Tarrytown Nov. 1.

Organist Frank Miller at Old Dutch Church Oct. 4

Organ maestro Frank Miller will perform on the unique Noack Tracker organ at the Old Dutch Church during Sunday worship at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 and 18. His program: Prelude: "Andante" from Sonata No. 1 by A. Vivaldi; "Sing the Glad Song" by F. Ritter; "Prelude and Fugue in G Minor" by J.S. Bach; "Toccata Energico" by L. Smith; "Lobe des Herren" improvisation by F. Miller; and Postlude: "Toccata" from Suite Gothique by L. Boellmann. Mr. Miller has performed at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and for two United States Presidents.

His appearance at the Old Dutch Church is part of a monthlong series of special Sunday worship services at the historic church to honor its 330th year. The music series in October through Nov. 1 continues with Dina Foster-Osbourne on Oct. 11; Dr. David McConnell on Oct. 25, and Dr. David Hurd at two services for All Saints Day on Nov. 1, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Organ Maestro Dr. McConnell at Old Dutch Oct. 25

Dr. David McConnell will perform on the unique Noack Tracker organ at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow during Sunday worship at 11 a.m. Oct. 25. He holds several positions in the Berks/Lehigh Counties of Pennsylvania, including minister of music at Immanuel UCC in Shillington. He teaches and conducts at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Penn State University's Berks Campus, and Alvernia University. His choirs have toured in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Latvia, as well as Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Carnegie Hall in New York City. In recent years he has conducted choirs in Amsterdam and Portugal. His appearance at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow is part of a month-long worship series at the historic church to honor its 330th year. It concludes on Nov. 1 with Dr. David Hurd at two All Saints Day services, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

'Dangerous Division' Is Growing, Says Leonard

"We often make the mistake of thinking that Muslims are our enemies," Doug Leonard, executive director of Al Amana Centre, Oman, told a group gathered in Washington, D.C., recently to share ideas about interfaith cooperation. Leonard was invited by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to give the keynote speech at the President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge National Gathering. He spoke about the friendship between the Reformed Church in America and Muslims on the Arabian Peninsula. "Muslims are not our enemies," he said, adding that Muslims and the RCA have worked together well for over a century to conquer the real enemies: typhoid fever, trachoma, tuberculosis, leprosy and illiteracy.

"Today we are working together to eradicate another kind of disease, the disease of misinformation, a misplaced anger in both of our societies, and a dangerous division in our world, that seems to be growing between Muslim-majority and Christian-majority nations. And as we do, we are being true to Jesus's calling for our lives." The Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns helps support the Al Amana Centre, one of several RCA mission centers in the Arabian Gulf dating to the 1880s.

Join the Fun

Waiting for Sunday School

In the Friendship Room last Sunday, Temper found a sunny spot near a window to wait til it was time for the worship service to start. At the Reformed Church, children join the service for the first 15 minutes, then, after a short children's sermon by the pastor, depart for Sunday School classes. In mid-September, classes resumed at the Clock Church in Tarrytown, after a summer away at the Old Dutch Church. Learn more.

Rev. Doug Leonard to Speak on Religious Violence

Everyone is invited to a presentation and community conversation at the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., on the topic of "Is Religious Violence Inevitable? A Response to the Global Increase of Religious Violence." Our speaker is the Rev. Doug Leonard, director of the Al Amana Centre in the Arabian Gulf country of Oman, an academy for the study of global Christian-Muslim relations and an ecumenical center for religious diplomacy. The Rev. Leonard will give an analysis of today's increasing tension, and welcome a group discussion.

He will address the following questions, among others: Is religion the problem? In what way are current conflicts political rather than religious? Can religion be part of the solution, and a resource for peace?

TheReformed Church of the Tarrytowns (the "Town Clock" Church) is located at 42 North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY. Our facility is handicapped accessible. Parking is in the rear of the church, with wheelchair ramps to the rear lobby entrance. This event is sponsored by the Regional Synod of New York of the Reformed Church in America. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914-332-1311.

David Hurd in Recital Sept. 29 at Old Dutch

Organ master David Hurd will give a recital on the Noack Tracker Organ at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow on Sept. 29 at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Hurd is a much-honored performer, composer and educator. He is professor at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church and organist and music director at the Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea. Admission is free; an offering will be taken. The Old Dutch is located at 430 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 10591. For more information, call the church office at (914) 631-4497.

Old Dutch Ushers in Fall with Fun Activities for All

The little church made world-famous by Washington Irving, author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," will welcome visitors this autumn to its outdoor fall festival, spooky storytelling, an uplifting organ recital and a massive outdoor bell carillon that kids can play. The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow will host an extensive series of public events that will appeal to area residents of all ages.

OLD DUTCH FEST

Oct. 19-20 & Oct. 26-2, Noon to 6 p.m.Join us for two weekends of fun, food and sightseeing at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow's "Old Dutch Fest. We'll be grilling sausages and serving pumpkin ale and soft drinks. There'll be booths with wares and information about the legendary church and Sleepy Hollow country. Try out your keyboard skills on the the mobile carillon, or take photos of your children in Dutch costumes. There will be face-painting, balloon-tying, and pumpkins for sale. Rumors are also circulating this week that the Headless Horseman himself may pay a visit to enliven the festivities.

HALLOWEEN TALES FOR TOTS & TWEENS

Oct. 19-20 & Oct. 26-27 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Actress, musician and master story teller April Armstrong, accompanied by musician Jim Keyes, will present "Halloween Tales for Tots to Tweens" in the Old Dutch Church. Her not-too-spooky tales are especially suitable for children ages 12 and under. Click here to buy tickets, or phone 1-888-71-TICKETS). Tickets are $6 for children ages 12 & under, and $9 for adults. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

MOBILE MILLENNIUM CARILLON

Sept. 28-Oct. 20,noon to 4 p.m.: Come see and hear the massive Mobile Millennium Carillon, which rests on the grounds adjacent to the Old Dutch Burying Ground at the Old Dutch Church. This set of large church bells connected to an organ-style “keyboard” sits on a truck bed at ground level. Visitors may play it for a nominal fee. One of only two in the United States, this awe-inspiring instrument thrills audiences with its 5.5 tons of cast bronze bells. Concerts on the Carillon will be performed at 2 p.m. on Oct. 19-20 by Marietta Douglas, carilloneur for the First Presbyterian Church in Stamford, CT, and St. Mark’s Church in New Canaan, CT.

January at the Reformed Church

The new year is off and running at the Reformed Church. Mark these special events to your calendar and plan to join us at the Clock Church:

Midnight Run On Jan. 11 we are making our first Midnight Run of the year. We need all kinds of clothing...coats, hats, gloves, long underwear, hoodies, sweaters, boots, socks. If you have extra around the house or basement, or if your neighbors are asking if you know anybody in need, please bring these items to the Clock Church. Other things always appreciated are travel-size toiletries. We'll be preparing 100 bag lunches to distribute with the clothes to the homeless in New York City.

Annual Church Meeting and Luncheon On Jan. 27, we'll hold our annual meeting to update the congregation on the budget and vote on two nominees to the Consistory. Two elders will be elected to serve 2013-2016.

Chinese New Year Dumpling-MakingRing in the Year of the Dragon on Sunday, Feb. 10 by learning how to make Chinese dumplings, and have fun doing it. After the worship service, we'll meet in Ammerman Hall to create the traditional New Year food - and sample them too!

Ash Wednesdayr An evening service will be held at the Clock Church on Feb. 13, Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, the traditional 40-day period of prayer and fasting before Easter. Ash used to mark the foreheads of worshippers on this day are a sign of mourning and repentance.

Celebrate the Season at the Reformed Church

Advent season is a joyful time at the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns. We join with Christians everywhere to celebrate the birth of the Messiah and look forward to His Second Coming. At the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns, we share our joy with our communities in our many seasonal festivities and beautiful ceremonies. We invite everyone to join us for these special events:

Jazz Vespers On Dec. 2, 9 and 23 at 5:30 p.m., at the Clock Church, a jazz combo will perform traditional Christmas music in innovative and imaginative arrangements.

Happenings at the Clock Church

As we enter the last six weeks of the year, days grow shorter and temperatures colder. It's a time for gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving dinner, mulching the garden and protecting young trees and shrubs from harsh winter winds and snows.

The premier holiday of November is Thanksgiving. It is held on the 4th Thursday in November. The first Thanksgiving was given by the pilgrims in 1623. It did not become an official holiday until President Lincoln declared it in 1863. The holiday was created to give thanks for the plenty of the harvest. Today it is celebrated by family gatherings. A traditional dish for the event is roast turkey and dressing.

Veteran's Day is November 11. It was originally called Armistice Day and meant to commemorate the end of the "war to end all wars" (World War I ended 11 November 1918). It was signed into law by Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The remembrance was extended in 1954 to cover the veterans of all wars after World War II and the Korean War.

The first Sunday of each month is Communion Sunday. We celebrate the sacrament during worship, then afterward the congregation is invited to partake in food and fellowship at a free brunch upstairs in Ammerman Hall. The next first-Sunday brunch is November 4 at 11:45 a.m. (Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour; DST ends Nov. 4!)

Oct. 27-28Old Dutch Fest,We will set up the grill in the parking lot at the South entrance of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Rt. 9, near the Old Dutch Church.

Oct. 28, Dr. David McConnell returns to the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns with 20 members of his various choirs, who will join their voices with our church choir to sing at the morning worship service at the Clock Church. In September, Dr. McConnell performed organ music of Holland and the Nordic Countries on the Old Dutch Church's Noack Tracker Organ. On the upcoming visit, he will play the new, state-of-the-art Austin/Ahlborn Galanti organ that was installed in the Clock Church early in 2012. Dr. McConnell holds several positions in the Berks/Lehigh Counties of Pennsylvania, including minister of music at Immanuel UCC in Shillington. His choirs have toured in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Latvia, as well as Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Carnegie Hall.

Weekend openings and tours of the Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground are also happening this month.

Nov. 10: The Manhattan School of Music Chamber Choir, directed by Kent Tritle, will present a program of a capella choral music from China, Estonia and the United States. In 2010, Mr. Tritle (pictured) gave an organ concert for the 325th anniversary gala of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow.

"Legend of Sleepy Hollow" readings by master storyteller Jonathan Kruk are scheduled on weekends at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. Contact Historic Hudson Valley for tickets.

Organ Concert at Old Dutch Sept. 30

Next Sunday's organ concert is the fourth annual autumn recital at the historic Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. The 4:30 p.m. concert will feature renowned organist Dr. David McConnell performing organ music of Holland and the Nordic Countries on the Old Dutch Church's Noack Tracker Organ.

Dr. McConnell holds several positions in the Berks/Lehigh Counties of Pennsylvania. Dr. McConnell is minister of music at Immanuel UCC in Shillington, and also teaches and conducts at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Penn State University's Berks Campus, and Alvernia University. His choirs have toured in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Latvia, as well as Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Carnegie Hall in New York City. In recent years he was invited to conduct choirs in Amsterdam and Portugal.

Celebrate the Season at the Clock Church

Autumn at the Reformed Church is about crisp days, raking leaves, organ concerts, choir singing and chamber music, first-Sunday brunches in Ammerman Hall, hot cider and grilled sausages at the Old Dutch Fest, "Legend" readings, tours in the Burying Ground.... Join us for these special events:

The first Sunday of each month is Communion Sunday. We celebrate the sacrament during worship, then afterward the congregation is invited to partake in food and fellowship at a free brunch upstairs in Ammerman Hall. The next first-Sunday brunch is November 4 at 11:45 a.m. (Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour; DST ends Nov. 4!)

Oct. 27-28Old Dutch Fest,We will set up the grill in the parking lot at the South entrance of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Rt. 9, near the Old Dutch Church.

Oct. 28, Dr. David McConnell returns to the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns with 20 members of his various choirs, who will join their voices with our church choir to sing at the morning worship service at the Clock Church. In September, Dr. McConnell performed organ music of Holland and the Nordic Countries on the Old Dutch Church's Noack Tracker Organ. On the upcoming visit, he will play the new, state-of-the-art Austin/Ahlborn Galanti organ that was installed in the Clock Church early in 2012. Dr. McConnell holds several positions in the Berks/Lehigh Counties of Pennsylvania, including minister of music at Immanuel UCC in Shillington. His choirs have toured in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Latvia, as well as Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Carnegie Hall.

Weekend openings and tours of the Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground are also happening this month.

Nov. 10: The Manhattan School of Music Chamber Choir, directed by Kent Tritle, will present a program of a capella choral music from China, Estonia and the United States. In 2010, Mr. Tritle (pictured) gave an organ concert for the 325th anniversary gala of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow.

"Legend of Sleepy Hollow" readings by master storyteller Jonathan Kruk are scheduled on weekends at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. Contact Historic Hudson Valley for tickets.